Elsevier

Advances in Psychology

Volume 1, 1980, Pages 95-115
Advances in Psychology

5 Programming of Stereotyped Limb Movements by Spinal Generators

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4115(08)61940-8Get rights and content

During the past decade the capacity of the isolated mammalian spinal cord to generate rhythmic, stereotyped movements of the hindlimbs, such as locomotion (Grillner, 1973) and scratching (Berkinblit, et al 1978) has been the subject of intense investigation in several laboratories, including our own.* The concept of spinal generators, posited to be a series of interneuronal networks, is examined, and the role of these networks in programming locomotion, segmental reflexes and other stereotyped movements of the hindlimbs is discussed with respect to the chronic spinal cat.

Although treadmill locomotion of cats transected at T12- T13 and curarized is normal in many respects (Grillner and Zangger, 1979), there are some abnormalities. The extensive interaction of peripheral and supraspinal signals during the control of normal locomotion, provides for optimal control, and a model of multilevel control is required to explain the animal's ability to move effectively.

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    *

    The following colleagues worked collectively towards gathering and analyzing the data presented from our laboratory: K. Dahms, V.R. Edgerton, B. Hibl, N. Meyerott, P. Reback, C. Sabin and L. Smith. The research was supported by an Easter Seal grant and USPHS Grant NS 10423.

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